When To Mow On Weekends To Avoid Alienating Neighbors: Block Talk

If you want to keep peace in the neighborhood, wait until 8 or even 9 o’clock on weekend mornings before you start your noisy gas lawn mower, according to a majority of respondents to an informal Patch survey.

And if you take issue with when a neighbor starts up the noisy gas mower, don’t be a jerk about it, respondents told us in the survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.

Avis is the ultimate in considerate neighbors.

“I never start mowing before 9 a.m. And if possible, and because I am retired, I mow during the week,” the Oak Lawn (Illinois) Patch reader said.

Survey respondents said they understand when circumstances such as weather leave a small window for mowing, and that may mean starting earlier than neighbors want.

“I understand that you need to mow the lawn early, especially when it’s going to be 100 degrees outside, but before 7 a.m. on the weekends is really early,” said Mia, a Lacey (New Jersey) Patch reader.

‘It’s A Free Country!’

Vera, a West Chester (Pennsylvania) Patch reader, also thinks 7 a.m. is too early, even on 90-degree days.

“Maybe they can mow the lawn at 7 or 8 p.m., as it is light out later, but then you have people complain that their babies are sleeping,” Vera said. “Or, have a talk with your neighbors to see if an early time could be done once a month when high temps are forecast.”

Neither early-morning nor early-evening mowers fly with Ginger. The Patch reader said considerate neighbors restrict mowing to the hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“I especially hate it when, as we are having a nice Sunday dinner outside when the weather is nice, one of my neighbors always starts up the lawn mower at 5 p.m.,” Ginger said. “I’m like, come on, you had all week! Please let Sunday evening be peaceful.”

She added, “He is, of course, retired and can do the lawn anytime!”

“Mowing late at night is not cool,” Fredericksburg (Virginia) Patch reader KP said. “I had a neighbor mow at 8 p.m. when I was trying to unwind from the day. It was very annoying.”

“This dude abides [by] the same times that I believe landscapers and contractors are held to, not earlier than 8 a.m.,” Chatham (New Jersey) Patch reader Abernathy said. “As far as late-day mowing, I’ll go right into dusk if I have to, because it’s a free country!”

Abernathy’s mower is silent on Sundays.

“I know I’m a bit of a dinosaur, and no one else respects that these days,” Abernathy said. “Residents in this town have zero consideration for their neighbors.”

‘Just Let People Mow Their Lawns’

Temecula (California) Patch reader Jen said that as long as they comply with local noise codes, her neighbors can mow anytime they want.

“I’m a morning person and would rather get outdoor chores done and out of the way before it gets too warm and so I can get on with the rest of my day,” Jen said. “The same people who complain about noise too early in the morning are probably the same ones who don’t have a problem having loud parties at night while I’m trying to sleep. It works both ways.”

Jean, a Doylestown (Pennsylvania) Patch reader, also uses local ordinances as a guide. She said she’s not condoning rudeness, but rather “just understanding that not everyone is on the same time schedule.”

“People have gotten super sensitive about everything, assuming the world needs to behave as they expect,” Mia said. “Put in earplugs, move back to the city where lawn mowers aren’t an issue, or move to a more rural area where you have enough distance between neighbors that you don’t hear the mower.”

“As a New Yorker now living in New Jersey, these people would never last in the city,” said Belleville-Nutley (New Jersey) Patch reader Leslie. “It’s never too early; just let people mow their lawns.”

Kids With Drums And Barking Dogs

Kiki, a Brookfield (Connecticut) Patch reader, thinks anytime before 8 o’clock in the morning is too early to start up the lawn mower.

“It’s all about consideration for neighbors —same with the next-door neighbor letting his teenager bang on his drums late at night,” Kiki said. “Remember: The inconsiderate acts will eventually come back and bite ya!”

Oakland Township-Lake Orion (Michigan) Patch reader Marilyn has no arguments with her neighbors about when they mow.

“Barking dogs are waaayyyy worse than lawn mowers. At least with lawn mowers they start and stop. Dogs never stop!” she said.

“Be respectful of folks who work swing shifts and parents with babies,” said Haddonfield-Haddon Township (New Jersey) Patch reader Kim, who thinks mowing shouldn’t start any sooner than 8 a.m. “Busy homeowners should plan accordingly.”

Also, Kim said, “Early-morning grass is typically wet from overnight moisture, which is also bad for lawn equipment.”

Carol, who reads suburban Chicago Patch sites, thinks people who mow before 8 in the morning are inconsiderate, but if they wait until 10, it’s already too hot to mow on some weekends.

Also, Carol said, “People with jobs have limited time on weekends to get yard work done. Bums without jobs don’t have yards.”

Shh: Get A Quieter Mower

Darien (Connecticut) Patch reader Natalie said any time before 11 a.m is too early. She also nudged her neighbors.

“Replacing a gas mower with an electric model cuts local air pollution and greenhouse gases while also slashing noise from a harsh 90–100 decibel ‘roar’ to a much quieter hum that’s friendlier to neighbors and wildlife,” Natalie said. “Although the purchase price can be similar or slightly higher, electricity is cheaper than gasoline, and maintenance is simpler, so lifetime operating costs are much lower.”

Joliet (Illinois) Patch reader Water-rat said that any time before 7 a.m. is too early for people who use gas mowers, but said with the windows closed, “I don’t even hear our electric battery mower.”

“As retired senior citizens, we prefer to mow when we can beat the heat and the rain, anytime between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.,” Water-rat said. “Sometimes right before sunset works well when it’s hot and humid outside, followed up by a nice shower.”

‘Become More Forceful’

HoJo, a Sachem (New York) Patch reader, said people with quieter electric mowers can cut the grass whenever they please. Those with gas mowers should abide by local codes.

HoJo’s beef isn’t with neighbors but with “landscapers using incredibly loud lawn mowers and leaf blowers.”

“When I am in my yard relaxing, and I have to listen to two lawn mowers and three leaf blowers operating at the same time next door, it is ridiculous,” HoJo said.

“Manufacturers should be mandated to limit the machinery to a certain decibel level,” HoJo said. “I think we, as residents, should become more forceful with our complaints. Perhaps hot lines could be set up to report the landscapers who appear to have offending equipment.”

Across America Patch reader Terri is in full agreement.

“Landscaping crews are the worst for this,” Terri said, adding they start as early as 7 a.m. where she lives.

“I think cities and towns need to change their noise ordinance times so landscaping crews can't fire up their mowers and blowers until at least 8 or 9 a.m.,” she said.

Glen Cove (New York) Patch reader Gary said an ordinance change strikes a balance where he lives.

“We have a code — 10 a.m. on weekends. It used to be 8 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday,” Gary said. “Me personally, I’ve never started a gasoline engine before 10.”

The noise regulations where West Islip (New York) Patch reader Jeannie lives aren’t nearly as accommodating of the desire for peace and quiet.

“Seven is too early, but my town has noise ordinances that allow it from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., so it’s legal,” she said.

But is it thoughtful? For Morristown (New Jersey) Patch reader Gosia, it’s this simple:

“Be mindful of your neighbors, and treat others as you’d like to be treated.”

Give Civility A Chance

Whatever time people choose to start their weekend yard work shouldn’t become a flashpoint, several readers said.

“People can have a conversation with neighbors regarding noise and/or wear earplugs if this is an issue,” said Vanessa, a New Brunswick (New Jersey) Patch reader.

Ashleigh, an Old Town Alexandria (Virginia) Patch reader, said mowing before 9 a.m. is rude and inconsiderate “unless there’s rain or excessive heat coming.”

“In those situations, the neighbors just need to deal with it,” Ashleigh said, adding, “If mowing time is an issue, just talk to the neighbor. Maybe it can be resolved with a friendly discussion.”

Ashleigh had an older neighbor who sometimes started mowing before 7 because he couldn’t stand the daytime heat. She wasn’t bothered by it, but her teenage daughter would sleep until noon on weekends if allowed, Ashleigh said.

Her solution may help Harold, a Bel Air (Maryland) Patch reader who said his neighbors are standoffish and “have their faces buried in their phones all the time, lifting them only to complain about when I start my yard work on weekends.”

Ashleigh volunteered her daughter to mow the older neighbor’s yard, planting a seed whose bounty continues years later.

“Kids need to learn about community service and kindness,” Ashleigh said. “I told my neighbor my kid sleeps late on weekends, but that she’d be glad to mow his yard for free when she wakes up and is up and at it.”

They developed a strong bond, like a grandfather and granddaughter, Ashleigh said, adding:

“He has been part of the important events in her life,” Ashleigh said.

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with Block Talk as the subject line.

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